So comparing felt thickness between the legs can someone comment on the differences felt between the RFS bikes and the new 500 model? Is it thinner or thicker when standing? I always felt my RFS bikes were nice and thin and the 08-11 bikes were a lot thicker through the middle. Where does the 500 stack up in comparison?

Has anyone with the HardParts 3.4 gallon tank pictured above on Geeks bike ridden an RFS bike with the same style tank? How does it feel through the middle (between your legs), contrast the two if you've ridden both. I felt on the RFS bike it kept the bike nice and narrow between your legs standing and the width was only felt when putting your leg forward near the radiator shrouds for turns. How is it in comparison on the 450/500 frame?

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Cheers,
Team FTB
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Team "Fingering The Bean"

I just came off a great relationship with my 07 RFS 450exc to a 500 this past October. Having ridden the 08-11 generation with my buddies bikes the 500 is a different animal. While the chassis of the previous generation was great the new one is even better which you can only tell riding them back to back. The new 500 feels lighter and to me the same ergos as my 07 in the tank, seat to pegs etc.

Something interesting is how much lower the center of gravity is on the 500 than a 530. Sitting side by side it looks 1.5" lower under the skidplate, the swingarm looks to go in a bit higher on the frame than a 530 also. I have drug bottom twice creeping over an obsticle that my 450 would have cleared on the 500, but generally this is just an observation not a biggie.

The thing that got me on the new bike is the motor. Sweeeeet! Smooth and controllable, one sump system with more oil capacity than ever on a under 600 cc KTM. Bike gets super mileage, build quality of the engine is awesome, new die cast case is high quality.

I weigh 172 and the suspension is perfect for me.My buddies 530 is super firm and it is stock. Power hit on the 500 is there just more easy to "meter", 530 seems to have more low end grunt but comes on with more authority. If I had a 530 i would want a throttle cam.

I put a Scotts on my 500 and it is rock stable, wide open in sand or on the pavement. No head shake.

So comparing felt thickness between the legs can someone comment on the differences felt between the RFS bikes and the new 500 model? Is it thinner or thicker when standing? I always felt my RFS bikes were nice and thin and the 08-11 bikes were a lot thicker through the middle. Where does the 500 stack up in comparison?

Has anyone with the HardParts 3.4 gallon tank pictured above on Geeks bike ridden an RFS bike with the same style tank? How does it feel through the middle (between your legs), contrast the two if you've ridden both. I felt on the RFS bike it kept the bike nice and narrow between your legs standing and the width was only felt when putting your leg forward near the radiator shrouds for turns. How is it in comparison on the 450/500 frame?

The big difference is that I always felt like I was sitting in the RFS frames but the new bike has you sitting on top of it. The 500 feels smaller than the RFS bikes for sure.

The extra wind protection of the HDB fairing was well appreciated when we got going fast as it was waaaaaay below freezing.

cheers,
Edward

Damn Edward! Those are some awesome pictures! ...now where's the tow rope and the snowboard you can pull around?! LOL You need a case saver on that bike before it finds a rock in the snow. That's some skill riding in the snow!